The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) today announced its new e-lifestyle adoption initiatives to reuse mobile phones and personal computers (PC) in support of Clean and Green Week (CGW) 2001...
Singapore, 1 November 2001 | For Immediate Release
IDA Spearheads Initiatives to Reuse Infocomm Appliances to Building To Foster an e-Inclusion Society
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) today announced its new e-lifestyle adoption initiatives to reuse mobile phones and personal computers (PC) in support of Clean and Green Week (CGW) 2001.
IDA will spearhead the Mobile Phone Reuse Project which aims towill equip the hearing impaired with donated mobile phones bundled with Short Message Service (SMS). In addition, IDA will drive lead in the deployment of 1,400 refurbished PCsto to needy families and non-profit organisations as part of the PC Reuse Scheme.
In line with CGW 2001IDA's goal to build an e-inclusive society where everybody has equal access to infocomm technology, the initiatives will help the less privileged to enjoy improved access to the benefits of technology. both initiatives are designed to improve Infocomm technologies access for the disadvantage and help minimise wastage of used Infocomm appliances.
Ms Pam Hu, Director of e-Lifestyle Marketing, Online Development Group of IDA said, "The Mobile Phone Reuse Project and the PC Reuse Scheme aim to encourage every Singaporean to play a part in building an e-inclusive society. By re-deploying donated mobile phones and PCs to the less privilegedthe disadvantage, we are one step closer to ensuring thathelping everyone will be able to reap the benefits of an e-lifestyle, regardless of age, language, social background or ability."
"Through an e-lifestyle, individuals will enjoy many conveniences and benefits, enhancing their life in many ways. For example, with SMS, the hearing impaired can communicate with their families and friends anytime, anywhere, unlimited by physical constraints or distance," Ms Hu said.
Active corporate partnership has always been strategic in propellfurthering the e-inclusion initiative. Microsoft Singapore, a long-term partner of the PC Reuse Scheme, is boosting its contribution of software this year to help build an e-inclusive society . Other corporate organisations bodies such as M1 and Nokia are also playing a significant role towards improving infocomm accessibility in Singapore through the Mobile Phone Reuse Project.
"When times are tough, we need to give more, not less," said Microsoft Singapore's Managing Director, Ms Natasha Kwan. "That's why we have increased our support for this scheme from $2 million last year to $3 million this year."
Mobile Phone Reuse Project
The Mobile Phone Reuse Project, an initiative co-organised by IDA, M1 and the Singapore Association For The Deaf (SADeaf), and sponsored by Nokia, aims to empower the hearing impaired to embrace infocomm technology and enhance their quality of life. Through the project, registered hearing impaired clients of SADeaf will be equipped with a free mobile phone, bundled with SMS, to enable them to communicate easily with family and friends.
The project targets to collect 1,000 used mobile phones at 11 M1 retail outlets island-wide from 3 to 11 November during CGW 2001. In addition to servicing and re-packaging the used phones, M1 will sponsor 1,000 SIM cards and 500 free SMS messages per phone per month for a period of six months.
"The SMS function makes the mobile phone as important a communication tool to the hearing impaired as it is to the rest of us, which was why we introduced a customised SMS service plan catering to them last year. With many Singaporeans changing or upgrading their mobile phones frequently, we have a potentially large pool of such phones for reuse. The Mobile Phone Reuse Project now makes it possible for more hearing impaired individuals to own and use mobile phones," said Mr Neil Montefiore, Chief Executive Officer of M1.
Surveys conducted by M1 indicates that about 30% of the hearing impaireduses send over more than 550 text messages SMS per month.
Mr Bengkt-Ake Gyllenberg, Vice President and General Manager, Nokia Mobile Phones, South East Asia Pacific, said, "At Nokia, we take an active social responsibility role in promoting lifelong learning, respect and equal opportunity which are firmly based on Nokia's core values. We are committed to having a positive impact on society that extends beyond the cutting edge technology of our products and services. Through the sponsorship, we hope to provide opportunities for the hearing impaired to connect with peers, families and communities."
SADeaf estimated that approximately 1,000 out of 5,211 of their its registered hearing impaired clients are equipped with their own mobile phones. The remaining registered clients either do not have the financial ability to purchase a phone or they are not familiar with using SMS.
"We want to thank everyone who has been involved in this project in one way or another. bApart from fostering an e-inclusive society and preserving the environment and helping to build an e-inclusive society, the Mobile Phone Reuse Project also enhances the quality of life of our Deafhearing impaired community by fulfilling the individuals' need for affiliation. A mobile phone bundled with SMS will further bridge the lives of the Deaf hearing impaired and their families and friends by facilitating effective communications at all times," said Mrs Jenny S M Ho, Executive Director, SADeaf.
SADeaf will distribute the phones to their registered clients and conduct SMS training to enable them to utilise the phones more efficiently.
PC Reuse Scheme
In support of CGW 2001, IDA will mass deploy 1,400 refurbished PCs to needy families and non-profit organisations as part of the PC Reuse Scheme. This is the largest batch of refurbished PCs to be deployed at a single occasion.
The refurbished PCs will be bundled with software sponsored by Microsoft, six months of toll-free mysingtel.com Internet access and 12 months of technical support. Recipients will also attend the National IT Literacy Programme to learn basic computer and Internet skills.
"We are delighted that IDA is supplying more PCs this year, so we can breathe new life into them with our software and put them back to work for the people who need them the most. We fully understand how infocomm technology can benefit people's lives, and our software's accessibility features enable everyone to enjoy these benefits, regardless of their level of abilities," said Ms Kwan.
The PC Reuse Scheme, launched in November 1999, has been providing refurbished PCs bundled with free Internet access and basic IT training to low-income families. Since then, 4,000 refurbished PCs have been deployed to needy families through 20 participating lead agencies such as the Community Development Councils and self-help groups. Another 700 refurbished PCs have also been deployed to 63 non-profit organisations to set up IT resource centres to improve public access to infocomm technology.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to Editor:
Appendix 1- Frequently Asked Questions on Mobile Phone Reuse Project
Appendix 2 - Frequently Asked Questions on PC Reuse Scheme
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is a dynamic organisation with an integrated perspective to developing, promoting and regulating info-communications in Singapore. In the fast-changing and converging spheres of telecommunications, information and media technologies, IDA will be the catalyst for change and growth in Singapore's evolution into a vibrant global info-communications technology centre. For more information, please visit www.imda.gov.sg.
For further information, please contact:
Ms Chia Sher Ling
Manager, Corporate Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 211-1840
Fax: +65 211-2227
Email: chia_sher_ling@imda.gov.sg
Gabriel Wong or Joanne Kwan
Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Phone: (65) 733 1110
Fax: (65) 733 5550
Appendix 1 - Frequently Asked Questions on the Mobile Phone Reuse Project (3-11 Nov 2001)
1. Who can apply for a mobile phone?
All hearing impaired registered clients of the Singapore Association For The Deaf (SADeaf) can apply for a mobile phone.
2. How to apply for a mobile phone?
Applicants can contact Zach Tay of SADeaf at:
Phone: 344 8274 ext 15
Fax: 345 7706
Email: copvc@sad.org.sg
Applicants must provide their identity card and Hearing Help Card.
3. What types of mobile phones can be donated?
Mobile phones from any service providers - M1, SingTel, Starhub or Virgin Mobile - can be donated. Mobile phones for donation have to meet the following requirements:
Be in good working condition
Able to support SMS functions
Packaged with batteries (with vibrating function) and chargers
Donor's SIM card will not be required.
4. Where can the public go to donate their mobile phones?
Interested donors can donate their phones at any of the following designated Mobile Phone Collection Centres (M1 Shops):
1. Change Alley #01-29 & 39
2. Great World City #01-01/04
3. Ngee Ann City #B2-12/14
4. Paragon #B1-19/20
5. Parco Bugis Junction #01-81/82
6. Parkway Parade #02-23A/24
7. Plaza Singapura #B2-20
8. Tampines Mall #B1-18/19
9. West Mall #01-16/17
10. Centrepoint #03-09
11. Raffles City #03-06/07
For more details, please visit www.eceleb.gov.sg/mobile-reuse.
Appendix 2 - Frequently Asked Questions on the Pc Reuse Scheme
1. Who can apply for a refurbished PC?
Families with combined household income not exceeding $2,000, and non-profit organisations.
2. How to apply for a PC?
Interested applicants can apply for a PC through the Lead Agencies (please refer to the list of Lead Agencies under Question 4).
3. If I have an old PC, how can I donate it?
Please approach any of our Lead Agencies, which are conveniently located around the island. The complete list can be found under Question 4.
4. What will qualified recipients receive?
Recipients will receive a PC package consisting of:
A refurbished Pentium PC
Software sponsored by Microsoft: MS Windows 98 and MS Works 6.0
Six months toll-free mysingtel.com Internet access
12 months technical support
National IT Literacy Programme classes
5. How many PCs will each Lead Agency deploy during CGW 2001?
| S/N | Lead Agency | Contact Person | No. of PCs to be deployed | Event, Venue, Date & Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ang Mo Kio-Cheng San Community Development Council | Phyllis Teo 5529562 Phyllis_teo@pa.gov.sg |
100 | |
| 2 | Bukit Timah Community Development Council | Tang Chi Ming 8974610 Chi_ming_tang@pa.gov.sg |
30 | |
| 3 | Central Singapore Community Development Council | Ixo Yew 3709901 Ixo_YEW@pa.gov.sg |
100 | Joint Social Service Centre 10 Nov |
| 4 | Hougang Community Development Council | Veronica Sim Catherine Khow 2877868 veronica_sim@pa.gov.sg cat_khow@pa.gov.sg |
20 | 28 Oct |
| 5 | Marine Parade Community Development Council | Jasmine Kwok 2438753 Jasmine_kwok@pa.gov.sg |
100 | Launch of MP Community Development Council e-Club 10 Nov |
| 6 | Northeast Community Development Council | Lina 7842930 Lina@northeast.org.sg |
100 | |
| 7 | Potong Pasir Community Development Council | Kua Mei Yin 2884890 mei_yin_kua@pa.gov.sg |
10 | |
| 8 | Sembawang Hong Kah Community Development Council | Huong Shiow Lin 7678158 huong_shiow_lin@pa.gov.sg |
100 | Delivered to recipients' houses from 21 - 22 Nov by SHKCDC's e-Ambassadors |
| 9 | Tanjong Pagar Community Development Council | Geraldine Pang 4702868 Geraldine_pang@pa.gov.sg |
100 | |
| 10. | Association of Muslim Professionals | Zafran 3460911 zaf@amp.org.sg |
100 | AMP 10th Anniversary 4 Nov |
| 11. | Chinese Development Assistance Council & Enable 2000 |
Gam Huey Yi 8435588 gamhy@cdac.org.sg |
200 | |
| 12. | Yayasan Mendaki | Murni 2455782 murni_st@mendaki.org.sg |
100 | |
| 13. | SINDA | Vijendran 3937243 vijendran@sinda.org.sg |
100 | |
| 14 | Singapore Scout Association | Alex Choo Jayanthi 2592858 hq@scout-assn.org.sg |
20 | |
| 15 | Creative Voluntary Group | Ng Oon Oon 8954817 oong@ctl.creative.com |
60 | Creative Resource 10 Nov 2pm to 4pm |
| 16 | Jurong Zone 'D' RC | Zaman Bin Kadir 92279232 ruhaya@s1.learn.com kaohouse@cyberway.com.sg |
50 | 10 Nov |
| 17. | The Society for the Physically Disabled | Chia Woon Yee 2366354 spdisabled_atc@pacific.net.sg |
20 | |
| 18 | Thye Hwa Kuan Moral Society | Jason Lee 3360549 Pc_reuse@thkms.org.sg |
30 | |
| 19 | Youth Guidance | Wang Kim Meng 7421969 kimmeng@syfc.org.sg |
20 | |
| 20 | Rotary Club of Singapore | Suresh Keerthi 2993125 araga@singnet.com.sg |
50 |
For more details, please visit: http://www.ecelebrations.gov.sg/elm/elm_access.htm#pc
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